One of the questions most often asked by customers when buying a concrete sealer is how long it will last. The answer depends on
a. Whether it is Interior/Exterior
b. Amount of traffic on the concrete surface
c. Type of sealer
d. Ambience – humidity, temperature, chemical, etc.
There are two main types of sealer – Penetrating (reactive) and Topical (film-forming).
A penetrating sealer, 100% of the product will be penetrating into the concrete surface. It doesn’t change the color or any of the characteristics of the concrete. It fills the concrete pores from the inside. Sometimes they can be formulated as breathable sealers. Penetrating sealers provide resistance to water, grease or other contamination. They are usually compounds of silanes, siloxanes, silicates or silicones. Compounds of silicates are often used to seal interior color concrete, whereas silanes are used as both interior and exterior sealers. Penetrating sealers are also used to seal concrete countertops.
A topical sealer typically forms a film (or membrane) that protects the concrete surface from external elements. Topical sealers generally provide visual enhancement as well as topical protection. They require dry, clean surface during application to gain adhesion. Typically, topical sealers are formulated with five major resins – acrylic resins, epoxy, polyurethane, polyaspartic and polyester. Each resin has its own purpose. For example, acrylics are affordable and easy to use. However they need regular maintenance. Acrylic sealers are very good for stamped concrete surfaces. The typical life of an acrylic sealer is 1-2 years. The life span of a Polyaspartic sealers last for more than 5 – 8years and they exhibit excellent abrasion, chemical and UV resistance. However, they are bit pricey. Like anything else in life, you get what you pay for. For extreme conditions like the ones in commercial kitchens, animal wash rooms, pharmaceutical plants etc., polyurethane based topcoats may be suitable.
The following checklist will prove beneficial when considering a concrete floor sealer purchase:
a. Interior or Exterior surface / vertical or horizontal surface
b. Ease of application
c. Federal or state VOC regulations
d. Expected traffic volume / place of use (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) and
e. Budget
The readers can learn more specific information on concrete sealers at http://www.duraamen.com/products/polyurethane